Hot topic, but a very frustrating challenge for most of us! While we love the blooming flowers and warmer weather, many of us dread the inevitable hay fever that accompanies the season. For makeup lovers, dealing with hay fever symptoms like red eyes, runny noses, and itchy skin can be perceived as taking the fun out of makeup routines!
Qudos Beauty Founder, Andra Fenyes having joined the Hay Fever Sufferers’ Club a couple of years back, has you covered with tips and hacks to keep you looking at your best with no compromise, even during allergy season.
- Always Start with a Solid Skincare Routine
Hydration is my Mantra: Hay fever can leave your skin feeling dehydrated, which heightens the itchy sensations. Double cleansing in the evening will ensure you have eliminated all allergens from your skin. Using gentle, hydrating formulas and following up with a calming toner will bring instant relief. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe extracts, lavender, natural hydrating oils that will soothe and hydrate the skin.
Calm Irritated Skin: redness and irritation are common during hay fever season. Opt for products with calming ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, and green tea extract. Choose a mist type toner and allow it to dry naturally as your skin soaks it up.
Never Skip the Sunscreen: even when dealing with hay fever, sun protection is non-negotiable. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic sunscreen that won't clog your pores or irritate sensitive skin.
- Prep Your Base
Prime for Success: a good primer can create a barrier between your skin and makeup, helping to reduce irritation. Choose a formula infused with anti-inflammatory ingredients, suitable for sensitive skin.
Choose the Right Foundation: opt for a lightweight, breathable foundation. Mineral foundations can be a great choice as they are less likely to clog pores and are often free from irritating ingredients. Read labels and ensure the products you choose are suitable for irritated, more reactive skin.
- Eye Makeup That Stays Put
Saturate a cotton pad with a calming toner formula and rest it for a minute on your closed eyes for added soothing before you start your makeup routine. Vital tip: ensure you are using sensitive eyes suitable and water-resistant eye makeup. From sensitive eyes, to reactive eye conditions, to teary eyes due to various ocular conditions, Qudos Beauty has made it their mission to create formulas which are water-resistant, non-smudging, or running.
From eyeliner to mascara, choose water-resistant formulas to prevent smudging when your eyes inevitably water. Our long-lasting I Wand You Mascara and I Line You Eyeliner are designed to withstand even the worst of hay fever symptoms.
Avoid Powder Shadows: powder eye-shadows can irritate sensitive eyes. Instead, opt for cream shadows that are less likely to flake and cause discomfort. Opt for blendable shades that stay put.
- Lips That Last
Hydration First: dry, chapped lips are a common side effect of hay fever. Start with a hydrating lip balm to keep your lips moisturized. Choose formulas which are packed with nourishing oils and butters. Keep it handy so you can re-apply throughout the day.
Long-Wearing Lip Colors: opt for long-wearing, smudge-proof lipsticks that won't budge throughout the day.
- The Finishing Touches
Setting Spray: a good setting spray can lock your makeup in place, preventing it from melting or smudging throughout the day. Choose a formula which includes calming ingredients, and you can re-apply it throughout the day. This will minimize symptoms when you’re outdoors.
Additional Hacks
Cool Compresses: if your eyes are particularly puffy or irritated, try using a cool compress before applying your makeup. This can reduce inflammation and make your makeup application smoother.
Hay Fever Eye Drops: I find them a perfect emergency solution when I am outdoors for longer periods of time and my eyes feel itchy and sore.
Avoid Touching Your Face: this one’s tough, especially when dealing with itchy skin or eyes, but try to avoid touching your face as much as possible to prevent further irritation and makeup smudging.
With these tips and our high-quality, allergy-friendly products, you can face hay fever season and don’t feel you have to compromise on your favourite makeup look.